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Owning several rental properties is a smart way to grow your wealth but managing them through different agencies can quickly become a full-time job — and not the kind you signed up for.

If you are juggling multiple contacts, chasing conflicting updates, or feeling the strain of scattered information, it might be time to think about bringing everything under one singular, trusted agency. The benefits are more than just convenience; they could change how you manage your entire portfolio.

Why Bringing All Your Properties Together Makes a Real Difference?

• Simplified communication and clear transparency Having all your properties managed under one roof means one point of contact who keeps you informed. No more juggling different agents or wondering what is going on. Everything is organised and transparent under a single roof, so you always know exactly where things stand across all your properties.
  
• Stronger negotiating power and personalised service A single agency managing your full portfolio means better rates and customised service options tailored to your goals. You become a valued client, not just another property, and your needs get priority attention.
  
• Easier financial management and consistent compliance Consolidating your properties with one agency means unified financial reports, making tax time and budgeting simpler. Plus, you can trust that all your properties meet legal and regulatory requirements consistently, removing that extra layer of stress.

Let’s Make Managing Your Portfolio Easy

Reach out today for a free 15-minute, no-obligation conversation about how we can help you streamline your property management. Whether you have two rentals or twenty, we will show you how one dedicated team can save you time, reduce stress, and help you get more from your investments.

Help us support our incredible colleagues by casting your vote here: 2025 Impact Awards Final Voting

We’re thrilled to announce that Jacob Eliopoulos, Joanne Bekiaris, and David Romanovski have been named finalists in the 2025 Activam Impact Awards! 🎉

• Rising Star of the Year – Jacob Eliopoulos
• Practice Support of the Year – Joanne Bekiaris
• Investment Adviser of the Year – David Romanovski

These well-deserved nominations highlight the outstanding impact, commitment, and excellence each of them has brought to our firm and the wider industry. We couldn’t be prouder!

Voting is now open and will close on Thursday, 28 August 2025.

You can vote across multiple categories, so don’t hesitate to support all three! Feel free to share the link with your clients, colleagues, and professional network – let’s help spread the word far and wide.

The winners will be revealed at the Impact Awards Gala Dinner on Tuesday, 2 September 2025.

Best of luck to Jacob, Joanne, and David — we’ll be cheering you on! 👏

Short-stay rentals can be extremely attractive. They offered flexibility, higher potential yield, and the excitement of a booming travel market.

But for many landlords, the increasingly restrictive legislative landscape and growing competition has made it more complex for investor to manage.

Furthermore, rising management pressure, increasing costs, and new tax changes in Victoria are prompting many investors to reconsider. A growing number are converting their short-stay properties back into fully furnished, long-term rentals. Here’s why.

Why It’s Worth Rethinking Your Strategy
Many landlords are making the switch for these key reasons:

• Reliable, Consistent Income
  Long-term tenants typically sign a 12-month leases. This means:
  – Regular rent payments
  – Fewer gaps between tenancies
  – Greater financial stability
  
• Reduced Vacancy Risk
  A well-presented, furnished long-term rental tends to stay occupied year-round. In contrast, short-stay properties often experience seasonal slowdowns and unpredictable booking gaps.
  
• Lower Management Demands
  Running a short-stay property takes time and energy. You’re managing:
  – Guest enquiries and bookings
  – Check-ins and check-outs
  – Frequent cleaning and linen changes
  – Restocking everyday essentials
  A long-term lease dramatically reduces these tasks, while still allowing you to offer a furnished, move-in-ready home.
  
• Lower Operating Costs
  A long-term lease excuse the landlord from most operation cost such as cleaning, utilities, internet and landscaping. Furthermore, the operation demand from a property manager is significantly reduced. Both helps lower the cost required to maintain the property for then landlord.

The New Victorian Short Stay Levy
From 1 January 2025, the Victorian Government will introduce a new Short Stay Levy. This tax will apply to short-term rentals, further reducing profitability and adding another layer of complexity to short-stay investing.

What We Do

If your investment property feels more like a burden than a benefit, we can help.

We take the time to understand your current rental setup and talk through what’s working — and what’s not. Together, we’ll look at the financial pros and cons of short-stay versus traditional leasing, taking into account your property type, location, and long-term goals. We’ll also help you navigate how upcoming policy changes, like the Short Stay Levy, could affect your returns.

From there, we’ll help you build a plan that aligns with your goals for the property and your personal and financial circumstances.

Let’s Talk

We offer free 15-minute, no-obligation chats to help you explore your options. Whether you’re ready to make a change or just want to understand the market better, we’re here to support you.

> Book a Quick Chat
> Request a Call-Back

With interest rates still sitting high and lenders regularly updating their offers, now is a smart time to take a fresh look at your home loan.

If your mortgage hasn’t been reviewed in a while, there’s a real chance you could be paying more than you need to. In today’s climate, every bit counts.

Why It’s Worth Reviewing

A quick review of your loan could help you:

• Find a sharper interest rate
• Access features like an offset account or redraw
• Adjust your repayment structure to suit your current lifestyle
• Use your equity for renovations or investing
• Consolidate personal loans or credit card debt into a single, manageable repayment

What We Do

Our lending specialists review your current loan and financial goals, compare options from over 50 lenders including major banks, well known Australian lenders and other well-known financial institutes, recommend only what’s right for your situation, and handle all the paperwork from start to settlement. You’ll receive clear advice without any sales pressure, and if staying with your current lender is still the best option, we’ll tell you that too.

Let’s Talk

We offer free, no-obligation chats to help you understand your options. Whether you’re looking to refinance, restructure, or start something new, we’re here to help.

Book your free 15-minute appointment today:

🔗 Book a Quick Chat
🔗 Request a Call-Back

Your mortgage should support your goals — not hold you back. Let’s check in and make sure it still fits.

There’s something powerful about a fresh start. A new financial year isn’t just a new page — it’s a chance to make smarter money decisions, reduce your tax stress, and set yourself up for something better.

Whether you’re employed, self-employed, or somewhere in between, now is the ideal time to pause, plan, and be intentional with your finances. Because the earlier you start, the more you can do.

Think Ahead, Stay Ahead

Most people only think about tax when it’s absolutely necessary to change anything. But by acting early, you give yourself more time, more options — and more control.

A smart move? Planning to prepay certain tax-deductible expenses later in the year. Things like income protection insurance, professional memberships, or business-related costs could help reduce your taxable income — if you get the timing right. It’s not about spending more. It’s about making what you already pay work harder for you.

Get Organised from Day One

Forget scrambling for receipts months from now. Set up a simple system today — even just a folder on your phone or computer — and start keeping track as you go.

A little effort now saves you a big headache later.

Need Help Making a Plan?

You don’t need to do it all alone. Our team is here to guide you with straightforward, practical advice — no jargon, no stress. Book a free 15-minute consultation and let’s help you make the most of this new financial year. The Hopkins Group – 15 Quick Chat

This year, don’t just react. Plan ahead. Stay in control. And make your money work smarter — from the very beginning.

Good news — starting 1 July 2025, most households and eligible small businesses will receive a $150 energy bill rebate, applied automatically in two quarterly instalments of $75 each. That’s $600 off your electricity bill over the year, no paperwork required.

What You Need to Know

• Start Date: 1 July 2025
• Rebate Amount: $150 total ($75 per quarter)
• Eligibility: Most households and eligible small businesses with an active electricity account
• Application: Automatic — no action needed for most customers

Important: Verify Your Eligibility

While the rebate is automatic for most, it’s essential to confirm your eligibility:

• Households: Make sure your electricity account is active with a registered retailer or embedded network.
• Small Businesses: Check if your annual electricity consumption is below the threshold set by your state or territory.

For detailed information and to verify your eligibility, visit official energy websites or contact your energy provider.

Is this a part of your greater saving plan or specific goal such as buying a property or planning your next investment. While every bit counts, the one most important factor when planning your saving is to know how to maximise your capital yield and minimise your tax obligation.

Let’s chat, Book a free 15-minute consultation with our experts today — we’re here to help you make the most of this relief and keep your budget on track. Request a Call-back

The countdown to 30 June is officially on — and if you’ve been meaning to get your tax sorted, now’s the time to make your move.

Whether you’re employed full-time, running your own gig, or juggling a bit of both, a few smart, quick actions can make a real difference to your return. The best part? It doesn’t have to be complicated — just a little bit of planning and some well-timed payments.

Let’s dive into a few last-minute things you can do right now to give your tax return a healthy lift.

Prepay and Save: How It Works

One of the best (and simplest) strategies before EOFY is prepaying tax-deductible expenses. That means you pay for something now — before 30 June — and claim the deduction this year, even if it benefits you next year.

Here are some common prepayable expenses:

• Income protection insurance premiums
• Union or professional membership fees
• Work-related subscriptions, publications or journals
• Self-education costs that relate directly to your current job
• Property investment expenses like interest, strata or council rates
• Business costs for sole traders and small business owners

Tip: To qualify, the expense generally needs to cover no more than 12 months ahead — and you must actually pay it by 30 June (not just be invoiced).

Who Should Consider This?

Prepaying expenses can be especially helpful if:

• You’re earning more this year and expect less income next year (such as a career change, maternity leave, or study break)
• You’re a sole trader or small business owner with regular ongoing costs
• You’ve got investment properties or ongoing portfolio expenses
• You’re a professional with required licenses or memberships to maintain

Not sure if it’s the right move for you? A quick chat with your accountant or financial adviser can help you weigh it up based on your situation.

Don’t Forget the Paper Trail

We know it’s not the most thrilling part of tax time — but keeping your receipts and records is a must. The ATO requires proper evidence for any deductions, including prepaid expenses.

• Save copies of receipts or invoices (digital is fine)
• Note the payment date — this is what determines whether you can claim it this financial year

Timing is Everything

If you’re planning to prepay anything, make sure it’s done before 30 June. Transfers, BPAY, or credit card payments all need to clear before the end of the financial year — so avoid leaving it to the last minute.

Need a Hand? Let’s Chat

EOFY can feel like a scramble, but you don’t have to go it alone. Our tax experts are here to help you find simple, stress-free ways to boost your return — even at the last minute.

Book a free 15-minute consultation and let’s make sure you’re not missing out on any smart opportunities before the deadline. The Hopkins Group – 15 Quick Chat

Let’s wrap up the financial year on a high — and make your money work a little harder for you.

If you’re like most Aussies, your superannuation probably ticks along quietly in the background. But come 1 July, a few key changes will come into effect — and they’re worth paying attention to.

The biggest one? Your employer is about to pay you more super. The Super Guarantee rate is going up from 11.5% to 12%, which is the final step in a plan the government’s been rolling out over the past few years. You won’t have to do anything — but your retirement savings will grow faster from now on.

Then there’s the new rule targeting very large balances. From 1 July, if you’ve got over $3 million in super, any earnings on the amount above that threshold will be taxed at 30%, instead of the usual 15%. To be clear, this isn’t a tax on your total balance — just on future earnings from the portion above $3 million. And unless you’re in the top half a percent of super holders, this probably won’t affect you at all.

What’s not changing? The government isn’t taking money out of anyone’s super. There’s no cap on how much you can have in your fund, and if you’re under that $3 million mark, your tax treatment stays exactly the same. Also, nothing is being applied retroactively — these changes only kick in from the new financial year onwards.

If you’re unsure how these changes impact your retirement plans — or if you’ve never really looked too closely at your super — now’s a smart time to do it.

Book a free, no-obligation chat with one of our superannuation advisers – we’ll look at your current setup, explain what the changes mean for you, and help you take full advantage if you’re in a position to grow your fund faster.

To book your free, no-obligation appointment:

• The Hopkins Group – 15 Quick Chat
• Request a Call-back

A little tweak today could mean a lot more tomorrow — especially when it comes to your super.

If you own an investment property — or a few — chances are you’re no stranger to a big tax refund come July. Between interest on the mortgage, property management fees, insurance, and depreciation, you’re likely to have accrued thousands, or even tens of thousands, in deductible expenses throughout the financial year.

But here’s the thing: you don’t have to wait until tax time to see the benefit. With a PAYG withholding variation, you could start seeing that money in your regular pay — right now.

So, What Is a PAYG Withholding Variation?

It’s a request you (or your accountant) lodge with the ATO to reduce the amount of tax taken out of your wages throughout the year.

To learn more, click here PAYG Withholding Variations

Why? Because you know you’ll be getting that tax back later anyway — this just means you get it as you go instead of all-in-one lump sum at tax time. This strategy is especially useful if you have:

• One or more negatively geared investment properties;
• High tax-deductible expenses throughout the year; and
• A decent refund coming your way and you’d rather have that extra cash flow now.

Real clients are using PAYG withholding variations and here’re ways they are taking advantage of it:

• Cover rising mortgage repayments;
• Pay down non-deductible debt faster;
• Boost their savings; and
• Reinvest into their next property.

How it Works?

In simple terms, there are two main ways in terms of how PAYG withholding variation works:

1. Downward variations – Most common. You reduce the tax being withheld from your pay to better reflect the deductions you’ll be claiming.
2. Upward variations – Less common but used if your investment is positively geared and you want to avoid a tax bill later by increasing your PAYG withholding.

It can however be a complex taxation strategy as it involves the following key considerations:

• The variation lasts for one financial year — so you’ll need to renew it each year;
• It’s important to get your estimates right (a wrong estimate can mean a larger than expected tax bill at tax time); and
• It can be a complicated process to navigate and require specialist taxation knowledge.

The best approach? Work with an accountant who understands your situation and can prepare it properly

Let’s Help You Get Started

Not sure if this is right for you? Or worried about getting the numbers wrong? That’s exactly what we’re here for.

Book a free, no-obligation chat with one of our taxation accountants – we’ll talk through your numbers, assess whether a PAYG variation makes sense for you, how you can best take advantage of it and take care of the paperwork if you want to go ahead.

To book in your free, no-obligation appointment:

• The Hopkins Group – 15 Quick Chat
• Request a Call-back

It’s your refund — why not get it sooner?

As The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) announced the widely expected cash rate cut by 0.25%, combined with the optimistic view that more cuts could happen in the future – we can now take a breath and explore what we need to do when interest rate is lowered, and how we can take advantage of it.

Some of the important things you should know and considered are:

• Cash rate cut does not automatically mean interest rate cut – your lender might not necessarily as onto your home loan. Furthermore, the lending market is becoming more and more competitive.
• Repayment amount does not automatically lowered after an interest rate cut – depending on your repayment structure, you might have to manually adjust your monthly repayment schedule to take advantage of the lowered interest rate.
• Different lenders might provide additional incentives – you should explore as many lenders as possible to compare the incentives they provide and consider refinancing with the lender that has the benefits most suited for your situation.

Ready to Review Your Mortgage but don’t know where to start? Book a free, no-obligation 15-minute conversation with one of our mortgage advisers, Loreen Dyer. We’ll help you understand where you stand, explore your options, and make sure your loan still works for you.